DermabrasionDermabrasion is a surgical procedure that involves the controlled abrasion (wearing away) of the upper layers of the skin with sandpaper or other mechanical means and nowadays it has become common to use CO2 or Erbium:YAG laser too. The procedure requires a local anaesthetic. Afterward, the skin is very red and raw-looking, and it takes several months for the skin to regrow and heal.

The purpose of dermabrasion is to smoothen the skin and, in the process, remove small scars (as from acne), moles (nevi), tattoos or fine wrinkles.
The mechanical method remains popular because is the most affordable and has practically the same results as the laser method.